The Coalition of Civil Society Group Against Terrorism in Nigeria has petitioned the Department of State Services, demanding for the immediate arrest and questioning of Sahara Reporters, Mr Omoyele Sowore and it’s other Promoters over alleged unfounded publications against Nigerian Army and the war against insurgency and terrorism, and a former Chief of Army Staff, Ambassador Tukur Buratai.
In a petition dated 20th May 2023, copy of which was obtained by our reporter, the group said they are seriously disturbed and concern about the disservice and unpatriotic conduct of Sahara Reporters, the Publisher and it’s other promoters, they have serially on the auspices of it’s online news medium misrepresented facts on national issues, especially when it concern the Nigerian Army and the war against insurgency and terrorism.
The petition which was signed by the group Convener, Comrade Oladimeji Odeyemi reads further ” Sahara Reporters, the publisher and it’s promoters have repeatedly claimed more than a passive knowledge of the war in the NorthEast and Nigerian Security Agencies successful operations against the Boko Haram/ ISWAP activities in the Country”
Read the petition in full:
Ibadan, 20TH, May, 2023.
The Director General,
Department of State Services, (DSS),
Yellow House,
Aso Drive,
Abuja.
Dear Sir,
Letter of Complaint and call for the Immediate Arrest and Questioning of Sahara Reporters, the Publisher, Mr Omoyele Sowore and it’s other Promoters.
(1) This is to formally bring to the attention of your good office the above subject matter for possible investigation and further necessary action, should this patriotic concern be regarded to be within the limit of the law and national security of our great Country.
(2) The above Coalition, which consists of over fifty civil society groups, is seriously disturbed and concern about the disservice and unpatriotic conduct of Sahara Reporters, the Publisher and it’s other promoters, they have serially on the auspices of it’s online news medium misrepresented facts on national issues, especially when it concern the Nigerian Army and the war against insurgency and terrorism.
(3) Sahara Reporters, the publisher and it’s promoters have repeatedly claimed more than a passive knowledge of the war in the NorthEast and Nigerian Security Agencies successful operations against the Boko Haram/ ISWAP activities in the Country.
(4) Whilst, we know that broadcasting is meant to positively influence the society, set agenda for the social, cultural, economic, political, and technological development of the Country, for the public good , we are also aware that the cardinal responsibility of any broadcaster is to inform, educate and entertain but not at the expense of national interest, unity and cohesion of Nigeria’s incredible diversity.
(5) Sir, as an independent Coalition, our observation shows that Sahara Reporters, the publisher and it’s promoters appears to have an axe to grind with the Nigerian Army, it’s leadership, and more importantly a Former Chief of Army Staff, Ambassador (Gen rtd) Tukur Buratai, and the prosecution of the war against the remnants of the insurgents in the NorthEast, and other part of the Country. While using the platform of Sahara Reporters. This online platform has continued to deride the Nigerian Army and it’s leadership.
(6) We invite your attention to the continued media onslaught, campaign of calumny and acts of espionage against the administration of President Buhari and a former Chief of Army Staff, Ambassador (Gen rtd) Tukur Buratai CFR, by Sahara Reporters and its promoters.
(7) For the past few years, and more especially in the past few months, Sahara Reporters and its promoters have preoccupied themselves with a well orchestrated campaign of calumny, the use of falsehood in propagating lies and unfounded statement against Ambassador Tukur Buratai, and the present leadership of the Nigerian Army, thereby subjecting them to all form of ridicule, locally and internationally.
(8) Sir, as of today, Sahara Reporters and its promoters are desperately pursing the campaign of calumny against Ambassador Tukur Buratai not minding the consequence on our national security as a former Chief of Army Staff, and a Former Ambassador to the Republic of Benin.
(9) Sir, as it could be confirmed in series of their previous and latest subversive statements against the Nigerian Army our other Security Agencies and Ambassador Tukur Buratai, suggest a strong sinister motive by Sahara Reporters and it’s promoters to undermine our nations’ national security and also destabilize our sustained efforts as a Nation, aimed at eradicating all forms of activities which might be threatening the unity and development of Nigeria.
(10) As it is so far, the Department of the State Services (DSS), under your leadership must be commended by following the right path to adhere strictly by following the due process of law.
(11) Sir, also note that the activities of Sahara Reporters and it’s promoters suggest that they have some external backing and we have strong reasons to believe that their motive to destabilize Nigeria through fake news and false narratives against our security agencies are indeed real and one that needs the attention of your good office to investigate.
(12) Sir, many of the accusers of the Nigerian Security Agencies, DSS, Police and the Nigerian Army inclusive, particularly in recent times are not only the known violators of the rights of our people on a daily basis, they are also people who have constituted themselves into sovereign authorities, within our society, by creating a system and operating practices, like Mr Omoyele Sowore, the Face of Sahara Reporters, who sees himself as an equivalent of the Nigerian state.
(13) Sir, some typical example which can be liken to the activities of Sahara Reporters, it’s promoters, and it’s face, Mr Omoyele Sowore, are the activities of one Nnamdi KANU and how his now proscribed Indigenous Peoples of Biafra (IPOB), as you may be aware, IPOB seek to illegally polarize Nigeria and create a state within the Nigerian State.
(14) Sir, as you may also be aware that, a group of people, hiding under the Banned Islamic Movement of Nigeria (IMN), led by another character like the Promoters of Sahara Reporters, Sheik Ibrahim El Zaky Zaky, this group too won’t but always want to carry out it’s activities very much like the violent separatist group like IPOB.
(15) Sir, it is not equally worrisome that the Banned Islamic Movement of Nigeria could at a point come out under the full glare of daylight armed with various dangerous weapons, and made an attempt on the life of Ambassador Tukur Buratai who was the Chief of Army Staff, Nigerian Army at that time.
(16) While, we urge your good office to carefully investigate this petition so as to unravel the sinister motives and patrons of Sahara Reporters both locally and internationally in their dark mission to instigate Nigerians and the International community against President Buhari, our various security agencies and it’s leadership and more importantly Ambassador (Gen Rtd) Tukur Buratai, who served the Nigerian Army and the Nation meritoriously.
(17) Sir, while thanking you for having the time to go through this petition and initiate action on it. Kindly be assured of our support and solidarity at all times sir.
Comrade Oladimeji Odeyemi (Convener, CCSGATN).
For the Attention of :
(1)The Chief of Defense Staff, (CDS).
(2) The Chief of Army Staff (COAS)
(3) The Chief of Defense Intelligence, (CDI).
(4) The Inspector General of Police, (IGP)
(5) Amb (Gen Rtd) Tukur Buratai. Former COAS.
